Blogs from February, 2023

Research on Prevention Programs

The Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and the American Academy of Sport Physical Therapy did a literature review and subsequently wrote clinical practice guidelines on prevention programs for ACL injuries. The results of their literature review found that ACL prevention programs were effective in reducing ACL injuries. The common components in the ACL prevention programs studied were:

• Core and hip strengthening
• Inclusion of both strength exercises and plyometric exercises
• Emphasis on neuromuscular control – feedback given to athletes to ensure proper exercise form, particularly when training landing from jumps
• At least 30 minutes of training per week
• Training needs to be done in the off season and continued during the season, otherwise the changes are not maintained

ACL Part 4 will give examples of the exercises given in the different components of an ACL prevention program.

References:

Arundale AJH, Bizzini M, Giordano A, Hewett TE, Logerstedt DS, Mandelbaum B, Scalzitti DA, Silvers-Granelli H, Snyder-Mackler L. Exercise-based knee and anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018; 48:9, A1-A42.